21st December 2005
 

One of the largest seizures of snake skins in history took place in Mumbai on Tuesday, 20 December 2005. A staggering number of over 55,000 reptile skins were seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at the Mumbai Port. The skins had been concealed in 80 jute bags that were booked for export to Singapore and marked as red chillies. The shipment is said to be worth 3 crores (US$ 640,000).

Officers from the Deputy Director Wildlife Western Region's office spent hours counting the skins. They were stunned by the volume of the consignment. At least three species of snakes have been identified - python, cobra and rat snake.

Three people have been detained and the Wildlife Protection Society is assisting the authorities with information on reptile traders in India.